New Curtain Call production offers a chorus of laughs

Christina Hennessy

Published 3:18 pm, Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Photo: Contributed Photo

Image 1of/2

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 2

From left, Cathy Cordaro, Ruth Lettera, Cindy Hartog and Christina Richardson in a scene from "The Hallelujah Girls," which is playing through Feb. 1, 2014, at Curtain Call's Dressing Room Theatre in Stamford, Conn. For more information about show times and tickets, visit www.curtaincallinc.com. less

From left, Cathy Cordaro, Ruth Lettera, Cindy Hartog and Christina Richardson in a scene from "The Hallelujah Girls," which is playing through Feb. 1, 2014, at Curtain Call's Dressing Room Theatre in Stamford, ... more

Photo: Contributed Photo

Image 2 of 2

Bob Hennessey and Cathy Cordaro in a scene from "The Hallelujah Girls" playing in The Dressing Room Theatre in Stamford, Conn.

Bob Hennessey and Cathy Cordaro in a scene from "The Hallelujah Girls" playing in The Dressing Room Theatre in Stamford, Conn.

Photo: Contributed Photo

New Curtain Call production offers a chorus of laughs

1 / 2

Back to Gallery

There is that moment for some people when they suddenly realize that unless they act, and act now, their life is going to pass them by.

Such is the place that Cindy Hartog's character Sugar Lee finds herself after the death of a longtime friend.

"She realizes that life is too short," Hartog, who lives in Westport. Her Sugar Lee is one of a tight-knit group of women from Eden Falls, Ga., who have been friends for as long as they can remember. "She decides it's time to follow her heart and do what she has always wanted to do."

That dream is to open a day spa, the Spa-Dee-Dah, in an abandoned church where the group gathers Friday afternoons. And given the path to happiness is not always easy, the group deals with various trials and tribulations, including problematic family members, matrimonial misgivings, unexpected suitors and proposals, and a longstanding rival that's bent on wrecking Sugar Lee's dream.

The trio have produced many popular Southern-flavored comedies, including "The Red Velvet Cake War," "Southern Hospitality" and "The Dixie Swim Club," which was staged last season at Curtain Call.

Even the nemesis in the tale, Bunny, who is played by Norwalk's Carin Freidag, is less a villain and more of a foil for Sugar Lee's ambitions.

"I am the one who wants to destroy her," said Freidag, laughing, of Bunny's abhorrence of Sugar Lee. "She has had it out for Sugar Lee since they were children."

In real life, Freidag would more likely be among the group of close-knit friends who are struggling to make the spa a success. But, she said it's been fun to play against character.

"When I first read the play, I thought she could be a lot of fun," she said of Bunny. "But, honestly, all of the female roles are so wonderfully crafted. Everyone is a gem."

It is Bunny, for instance, who helps to get one of Sugar Lee's exes, her former high school sweetheart, back into the picture. Hartog's husband, Marc, plays the former boyfriend, one of two male characters in the story.

Although the story is set in the South, Marc Hartog said it can resonate anywhere.

"This could be smalltown anywhere," he said. "These are a bunch of peole who grew up together and know each other -- lifelong friends and enemies -- that have dealt with the ups and downs of life."

The Hartogs and Freidag said they have loved working with the director, Norwalk resident Frank Gaffney, who has aimed to keep the story light, but maintain the warmth and true-to-life feel that makes it resonate with audiences.

"You want to put on the best show possible," said Marc Hartog. "You want it to be a great experience for the cast and the audience."

Cindy Hartog said Sugar Lee and the former boyfriend do have their share of arguments, brought on by a mistrust many years in the making. However, without spoiling the ending, Hartog said things have a way of working out for Sugar Lee and the others.